Pronunciation: di- ' sper-ij, - ' spa-rij
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: -aged ; -ag · ing
Etymology: Middle English, to degrade by marriage below one's class, disparage, from Anglo-French desparager to marry below one's class, from des- dis- + parage equality, lineage, from per peer
Date: 14th century
1 : to lower in rank or reputation : DEGRADE
2 : to depreciate by indirect means (as invidious comparison) : speak slightingly about
synonyms see DECRY
– dis · par · age · ment \ -ij-m ə nt \ noun
– dis · par · ag · er noun
– dis · par · ag · ing adjective
– dis · par · ag · ing · ly \ -ij-i ŋ -l ē \ adverb